50TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT (THE PRINCE OF WALES RANGERS), RCA

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LINEAGE

This Reserve Force regiment originated on
16 November 1866 and incorporates the following
regiments, machine gun battalion and artillery
batteries.

The 50th Field Artillery Regiment (The Prince of
Wales Rangers), RCA originated in Peterborough,
Ontario on 3 May 1867, when the '57th
Peterborough Battalion of Infantry' was authorized
to be formed.1 It was redesignated: '57th Battalion
of Infantry "Peterborough Rangers"' on
16 January 1880;2 '57th Regiment "Peterborough
Rangers"' on 8 May 1900;3 and 'The Peterborough
Rangers' on 12 March 1920.4
On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with
the '3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons'
(see below) and the 'Headquarters' and 'C
Company' of the '4th Machine Gun Battalion,
CMGC' (see below) and redesignated 'The Prince
of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment)
(MG)'.5 It was redesignated: '2nd (Reserve)
Battalion, The Prince of Wales Rangers
(Peterborough Regiment)' on 5 March 1942;6 and
'The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough
Regiment)' on 1 June 1945.7 On 1 April 1946 it was
converted to artillery and redesignated the '50th
Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (The Prince of Wales
Rangers), RCA'.8 It was redesignated: '50th
Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment (The Prince of
Wales Rangers), RCA' on 22 August 1955;9 and
'50th Medium Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (The
Prince of Wales Rangers), RCA' on
12 April 1960.10 On 6 July 1960, it was
amalgamated with the '45th Medium Battery, RCA'
(see below) and redesignated the '50th Field
Artillery Regiment (The Prince of Wales Rangers),
RCA'.11 It was reduced to nil strength and
transferred to the Supplementary Order of Battle on
1 April 1970.12

Notes :
Upon redesignation as The Peterborough Rangers on
12 March 1920 (see above) it was organized as a three battalion
regiment with the 1st Battalion (2nd Battalion, CEF) on the Non
Permanent Active Militia order of battle and the 2nd Battalion
(93rd Battalion, CEF) and 3rd Battalion (247th Battalion, CEF)
on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve units were disbanded
on 14 December 1936 (GO 3/37).

The Peterborough Rangers were disbanded for the purpose of
reorganization on 15 June 1920 and reorganized the same day
(GO 134/20). This change was administrative and does not affect
the lineage of the regiment.

The Peterborough Rangers were disbanded for the purpose of
amalgamation on 14 December 1936 and reorganized the next
day (GO 201/36). This change was administrative and does not
affect the lineage of the regiment.

The 3rd Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons
originated in Cobourg, Ontario on 30 April 1875,
when the '3rd Provisional Regiment of Cavalry' was
authorized to be formed.13 It was redesignated: '3rd
Provisional Regiment of Cavalry, The Prince of
Wales' Canadian Dragoons' on 14 October 1881;14
'3rd Regiment of Cavalry, The Prince of Wales'
Canadian Dragoons' on 25 November 1892;15 and
'3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons' on
1 January 1893.16 On 15 December 1936, it was
amalgamated with the 'The Peterborough Rangers'
and the 'Headquarters' and 'C Company' of the 4th
Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC, as above.

Notes :
The 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons were
authorized a Reserve order of battle counterpart on
1 November 1920 (GO 185/20). The reserve unit was disbanded
on 14 December 1936 (GO 3/37).

The 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons were
disbanded for the purpose of reorganization on 3 January 1922
and reorganized the same day (GO 187/22). This change was
administrative and does not affect the lineage of the regiment.

The 3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons were
disbanded for the purpose of amalgamation on
14 December 1936 and reorganized the next day (GO 201/36).
This change was administrative and does not affect the lineage
of the regiment.

The 4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC originated
in Kingston, Ontario on 1 June 1919, when the '4th
Machine Gun Brigade, CMGC' was authorized to
be formed.17 It was redesignated the '4th Machine
Gun Battalion, CMGC' on 15 September 1924.18
On 15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with
the '3rd The Prince of Wales' Canadian Dragoons'
and 'The Peterborough Rangers', as above.

Notes :
The 4th Machine Gun Brigade, CMGC was authorized a Reserve
order of battle counterpart on 1 June 1919 (GO 104/20). The
reserve unit was disbanded on 14 December 1936 (GO 3/37).

The 4th Machine Gun Battalion was disbanded for the purpose
of amalgamation on 14 December 1936 and reorganized the next
day (GO 201/36). This change was administrative and does not
affect the lineage of the regiment.

The perpetuation of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC
(1919-1936) was assigned to The Prince of Wales Rangers
(Peterborough Regiment) (MG) (GO 76/37).

The 45th Medium Battery, RCA originated in
Cornwall, Ontario on 2 February 1920, when the
'45th Battery, CFA' was authorized to be formed.19
It was redesignated: '45th Field Battery, CA' on
1 July 1925;20 and '45th Field Battery, RCA' on
3 June 1935.21 On 15 December 1936, it was
amalgamated with 'The Victoria and Haliburton
Regiment' (see below) and redesignated the '45th
Field Battery (Howitzer), RCA'.22 It was
redesignated: '45th (Reserve) Field Battery
(Howitzer), RCA' on 7 November 1940;23 '45th/56th
(Reserve) Field Battery, RCA' on 20 May 1942;24
'45th Field Battery, RCA' on 1 April 1946;25 and
'45th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA' on
19 June 1947.26 On 1 September 1954, it was
amalgamated with the '4th Field Regiment (Self-
propelled), RCA' (see below) and the '56th Field
Battery (Self-propelled), RCA' (see below) and
redesignated the '45th Medium Battery, RCA'.27 On
6 July 1960, it was amalgamated with the '50th
Medium Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment (The Prince
of Wales Rangers), RCA', as above.

The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment originated in
Bowmanville, Ontario on 16 November 1866, when
the '45th "West Durham" Battalion of Infantry' was
authorized to be formed.28 It was
redesignated:'45th "Victoria" Battalion of Infantry'
on 1 January 1898;29 '45th Victoria Regiment' on
8 May 1900;30 '45th Victoria and Haliburton
Regiment' on 16 July 1917;31 and 'The Victoria and
Haliburton Regiment' on 12 March 1920.32 On
14 December 1936, it was amalgamated with the
'45th Field Battery, RCA', as above.

Notes:
Upon redesignation as The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment on
12 March 1920 (see above) it was organized as a two battalion
regiment with the 1st Battalion (109th Battalion, CEF) on the
Non Permanent Active Militia order of battle and the 2nd
Battalion (252nd Battalion, CEF) on the Reserve order of battle.
The reserve unit was disbanded on 14 December 1936 (GO
3/37).

The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment was disbanded for the
purpose of reorganization on 15 September 1920 and
reorganized the same day (GO 231/20). This change was
administrative and does not affect the lineage of the regiment.

The Victoria and Haliburton Regiment was disbanded for the
purpose of amalgamation on 14 December 1936 and reorganized
the next day. (GO 212/36) This change was administrative and
does not affect the lineage of the regiment.

The 4th Field Regiment (Self-propelled), RCA
originated in Cobourg, Ontario on 9 May 1905,
when the '10th Brigade of Field Artillery, CA' was
authorized to be formed.33 It was redesignated: '4th
Brigade, CFA' on 2 February 1920;34 '4th Field
Brigade, CA' on 1 July 1925;35 '4th Field Brigade,
RCA' on 3 June 1935;36 '4th (Reserve) Field
Brigade, RCA' on 7 November 1940;37 '43rd
(Reserve) Field Regiment, RCA' on
24 June 1942;38 '4th Field Regiment, RCA' on
1 April 1946;39 and '4th Field Regiment (Self-
propelled), RCA' on 19 June 1947.40 On
1 September 1954, it was amalgamated with the
'45th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA' and the
'56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA', as
above.

Notes :
The 4th Brigade, CFA was authorized a Reserve order of battle
counterpart on 1 November 1920 (GO 186/20). The reserve unit
was disbanded on 14 December 1936 (GO 3/37).

The 4th Brigade, CFA was disbanded for the purpose of
reorganization on 15 December 1920 and reorganized the same
day (GO 29/21). This change was administrative and does not
affect the lineage of the brigade.

The 56th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA
originated in Goderich, Ontario on 1 April 1912,
when the '31st Battery, CFA' was authorized to be
formed.41 It was redesignated: '56th Battery, CFA'
on 2 February 1920;42 '56th Field Battery, CA' on
1 July 1925;43 and '56th Field Battery, RCA' on
3 June 1935.44 On 15 December 1936 it was
amalgamated with 'The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar
Rifles)' (see below) and redesignated the '56th
(Grenville) Field Battery, (Howitzer), RCA'.45 It was
redesignated: '56th (Grenville) Field Battery, RCA'
on 1 December 1937;46 '56th Reserve (Grenville)
Field Battery, RCA' on 7 November 1940;47 '56th
Field Battery, RCA' on 1 April 1946;48 and '56th
Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA' on
19 June 1947.49 On 1 September 1954, it was
amalgamated with the '4th Field Regiment (Self-
propelled), RCA', the '45th Field Battery (Self-
propelled), RCA', as above, and the '4th Field
Battery (Self-propelled, RCA' (see below) and
redesignated the '45th Medium Battery, RCA'.50

The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) originated in
Prescott, Ontario on 12 April 1867, when the '56th
"Prescott" Battalion of Infantry' was authorized to
be formed.51 It was redesignated: '56th "Grenville"
Battalion of Infantry' on 9 August 1867;52 '56th
Grenville Battalion of Rifles' on
13 September 1871;53 '56th Grenville Battalion
"Lisgar Rifles"' on 29 September 1871;54 '56th
Grenville Regiment "Lisgar Rifles"' on
8 May 1900;55 and 'The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar
Rifles)' on 12 March 1920.56 On
15 December 1936, it was amalgamated with the
'56th Field Battery, RCA', as above.

Notes:
The 56th Grenville Regiment "Lisgar Rifles" was disbanded for
the purpose of reorganization on 1 April 1911 (GO 52/11) and
reorganized on 8 June 1911 (GO 118/11). This change was
administrative and does not affect the lineage of the regiment.

Upon redesignation as The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) on
12 March 1920 (see above) it was organized as a two battalion
regiment with the 1st Battalion (no CEF designation) on the Non
Permanent Active Militia order of battle and the 2nd Battalion (no
CEF designation) on the Reserve order of battle. The reserve unit
was disbanded on 14 December 1936 (GO 3/37).

The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) was disbanded for the
purpose of reorganization on 15 December 1921 and reorganized
the same day (GO 118/21). This change was administrative and
does not affect the lineage of the regiment.

The Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles) was disbanded for the
purpose of amalgamation on 14 December 1936 and reorganized
the next day. (GO 212/36) This change was administrative and
does not affect the lineage of the regiment.

The 4th Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA
originated in Peterborough, Ontario on
9 May 1905, when the '24th Field Battery, CA' was
authorized to be formed.57 It was redesignated: '4th
Battery, CFA' on 2 February 1920;58 '4th Field
Battery, CA' on 1 July 1925;59 '4th Field Battery,
RCA' on 3 June 1935;60 '4th (Reserve) Field
Battery, RCA' on 7 November 1940;61 '4th
(Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Battery (Type 2H), RCA' on
1 September 1943;62 '4th Field Battery, RCA' on
1 April 1946;63 and '4th Field Battery (Self-
propelled), RCA' on 19 June 1947.64 On
1 September 1954, it was amalgamated with the
'4th Field Regiment (Self-propelled), RCA', the '45th
Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA' and the '56th
Field Battery (Self-propelled), RCA', as above.

Note :
The 4th Battery, CFA was disbanded for the purpose of
reorganization on 1 October 1920 and reorganized the same day
(GO 231/21). This change was administrative and does not affect
the lineage of the battery.

Headquarters Location

OPERATIONAL HISTORY

Fenian Raids

The 56th "Grenville" Battalion of Infantry was called
out on active service on 24 May 1870. The
battalion, which served on the St. Lawrence Rivers
frontier, was removed from active service on
3 June 1870.65

The North West Rebellion

The 45th "West Durham" Battalion of Infantry
mobilized one company for active service on
10 April 1885.66 It served as part of the 'Midland
Battalion' in the Alberta Column of the North West
Field Force.67 The company was removed from
active service on 24 July 1885.68

The 57th Battalion of Infantry "Peterborough
Rangers mobilized one company for active service
on 10 April 1885.69 It served as part of the 'Midland
Battalion' in the Alberta Column of the North West
Field Force.70 The company was removed from
active service on 24 July 1885.71

The First World War

Details from the 56th Grenville Regiment "Lisgar
Rifles" were placed on active service on
6 August 1914 for local protection duties.72

The 4th Brigade, which was authorized on
7 November 1914 as the '4th Field Artillery Brigade,
CFA, CEF',73 embarked for Britain on
20 May 1915.74 It disembarked in France on
14 September 1915,75 where it provided field
artillery support as part of the 3rd Indian (Lahore)
Divisional Artillery and the 2nd and 4th Canadian
Divisional Artilleries in France and Flanders until
the end of the war.76 The brigade was disbanded
on 23 October 1920.77

The 2nd Battalion, which was authorized on
10 August 1914 as the '2nd Battalion, CEF',78
embarked for Britain on 26 September 1914.79 It
disembarked in France on 11 February 1915,
where it fought as part of the 1st Infantry Brigade,
1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders until
the end of the war.80 The battalion was disbanded
on 30 August 1920.81

The 93rd Battalion, which was authorized on
22 December 1915 as the '93rd "Overseas"
Battalion, CEF',82 embarked for Britain on
15 July 1916.83 The battalion provided
reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field
until 6 October 1916, when its personnel were
absorbed by the '39th Reserve Battalion, CEF'.84
The battalion was disbanded on 21 May 1917.85

The 109th Battalion, which was authorized on
22 December 1915 as the '109th "Overseas"
Battalion', CEF,86 embarked for Britain on
23 July 1916.87 The battalion provided
reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field
until its personnel were absorbed by the '20th',
'21st', '38th' and '124th "Overseas" Battalion(s),
CEF' between 5 October and 8 December 1916.88
The battalion was disbanded on 21 May 1917.89

The 247th Battalion was authorized on 1 May 1917
as the '247th "Overseas" Infantry Battalion',CEF.90
It was absorbed in Canada by the '235th
"Overseas" Battalion, CEF' on 1 April 1917.91 The
battalion was disbanded on 11 April 1918.92

The 252nd Battalion, which was authorized on
1 May 1917 as the '252nd "Overseas" Infantry
Battalion', CEF,93 embarked for Britain on
2 June 1917.94 It was absorbed by the '6th Reserve
Battalion, CEF' on 10 June 1917 to provide
reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the
field.95 The battalion was disbanded on
1 September 1917.96

The '4th Battalion, CMGC, CEF', which was
organized in France, was authorized on
29 March 1918.97 It provided machine gun support
to the 4th Canadian Division in France and
Flanders until the end of the war.98 The battalion
was disbanded on 6 November 1920.99

The 4th Battery, which was authorized on
10 August 1914 as the '4th Field Battery, CFA,
CEF',100 embarked for Britain on
26 September 1914.101 It disembarked in France
on 11 February 1915,102 where it provided field
artillery support as part of the 1st Brigade, CFA,
CEF in France and Flanders until the end of the
war.103 The battery was disbanded on
23 October 1920.104

The 45th Battery, which was authorized on
15 July 1916 as the '45th "Overseas" Depot
Battery, CFA, CEF',105 embarked for Britain on
5 February 1916.106 It disembarked in France on
14 July 1916,107 where it provided field artillery
support as part of the 9th Brigade, CFA, CEF in
France and Flanders until the end of the war.108
The battery was disbanded on 23 October 1920.109

The Second World War

The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough
Regiment) mobilized an active service unit
designated the '1st Battalion, The Prince of Wales
Rangers (Peterborough Regiment), CASF' on
5 March 1942.110 It served in Canada in a home
defence role as part of the 16th Infantry Brigade,
8th Canadian Division on the Pacific Coast.111 The
battalion was disbanded on 10 January 1945.112

The 4th Field Battery mobilized the '4th Anti-Tank
Battery, RCA, CASF' on 24 May 1940.113 It
provided anti-tank support as part of the '3rd Anti-
Tank Regiment, RCA, CASF' in North-West Europe
until the end of the war.114 The overseas battery
was disbanded on 14 November 1945.115

The '2nd 4th Anti-Tank Battery, RCA, CAOF' was
authorized to be formed on 1 June 1945.116 It
performed garrison duties as part of the 3rd
Canadian Infantry Division, CAOF in Germany.117
The battery was disbanded on 14 May 1946.118

The 45th Field Battery mobilized the '45th Field
Battery (H), RCA, CASF' on 1 September 1939.119
On 1 June 1940 it was amalgamated with the '12th
Field Battery, RCA, CASF' and redesignated the
'12th/45th Field Battery, RCA, CASF'.120 On
1 January 1941 this amalgamation ceased and it
was redesignated the '45th Field Battery, RCA,
CASF'.121 It was redesignated the '45th Medium
Battery, RCA, CASF' on 21 November 1943.122 The
battery provided medium artillery support as part of
the '7th Medium Regiment, RCA, CASF' in North-
West Europe until the end of the war.123 The
overseas battery was disbanded on
25 September 1945.124

16. No authority for a change of designation of cavalry units in 1892 is contained within the applicable Militia General Orders or Annual Militia Report sessional papers. However, the date of 1 January 1893 is consistent with the nomenclature used in the aforementioned sources of 1893 and the Department of Militia and Defence, The Militia List of the Dominion of Canada, 1893. (GO 21/93 -
Establishment Lists of the Active Militia of the Dominion of Canada for the Financial Year 1893-94) / Les Ordres Généraux de la Milice ou les textes de séances du rapport Annuel de la Milice, ne comportent aucune autorité quant au changement d'appellation des unités de cavalerie en 1892. La date du 1er janvier 1893 correspond toutefois à la nomenclature utilisée dans les sources de 1893 mentionnées précédemment ainsi que par le Ministère de la Milice et de la défense, The Militia List of the Dominion of Canada, 1893.(GO 21/93 - Establishment Lists of the Active Militia of the Dominion of Canada for the Financial Year 1893-94).

17. GO 47/19; and/et GO 1/22.

18. GO 117/24.

19. GO 13/20. The organization of the battery, while authorized, was held in abeyance until 15 December 1936 / L'organisation de la batterie, bien qu'autorisée, demeura en suspens jusqu'au 15 décembre 1936.

65. Adjutant General of the Militia Report reprinted in Report of the State of the Militia of the Dominion of Canada for the Year 1870,(Ottawa, 1871), pp. 60, 62 to 64, and 69 / Rapport de l'Adjudant Général de la Milice imprimé à nouveau dans le « Report of the State of the Militia of the Dominion of Canada for the Year 1870 » (Ottawa, 1971), pp. 60, 62 à 64, et 69.

66. MGO 8/85.

67. General Sir Frederick Middleton, Suppression of the Rebellion in the North West Territories of Canada 1885, (Toronto, 1948), p. 42.

68. MGO 16/85.

69. MGO 8/85.

70. General Sir Frederick Middleton, Suppression of the Rebellion in the North West Territories of Canada 1885, (Toronto, 1948), p. 42.

71. MGO 16/85.

72. GO 142/14.

73. GO 36/15.

74. CEF Sailing List, vol. XII.

75. Canadian Artillery Association, Officers who served Overseas in the Great War with the Canadian Artillery, (Ottawa, 1922) p. 5.

76. Colonel G.W.L. Nicholson, The Gunners of Canada. The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, vol. 1, 1534-1919,(Toronto, 1967), passim.

77. GO 191/20. Although this formation is not specifically listed, this is considered the official date of disbandment as it is the General Order in which the batteries of the brigade were disbanded / Même si cette formation n'est pas spécifiquement listée, l'on considère cette date comme étant celle de sa dissolution officielle puisqu'elle correspond à celle de toutes les batteries de la brigade.

78. PC 2067, 6 August 1914, and/et memorandum Preliminary Instructions for Mobn. War 1914, BGen V.A.S. Williams, Adjutant-General, Canadian Militia to O.Cs. Divisions and Districts, 10 August 1914, reprinted in Colonel A.F. Duguid, Official History of the Canadian Forces in the Great War, 1914-1919, vol. 1 - Appendices (Ottawa, 1938), pp. 37-39.

98. G.W.L. Nicholson, Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War, Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919 (Ottawa, 1962), p. 545.

99. GO 209/20.

100. PC 2067, 6 August 1914, and/et memorandum Preliminary Instructions for Mobn. War 1914, BGen V.A.S. Williams, Adjutant-General, Canadian Militia to O.Cs. Divisions and Districts, 10 August 1914, reprinted in Colonel A.F. Duguid, Official History of the Canadian Forces in the Great War, 1914-1919, vol. 1 - Appendices (Ottawa), 1938), pp. 37-39.

101. Colonel A.F. Duguid, Official History of the Canadian Forces in the Great War, 1914-1919, vol. 1 - Appendices (Ottawa), 1938), pp. 110-114.

102. The Great Adventure with the 4th Battery, CFA, (N.p., n.d.), p. 9.

103. G.W.L. Nicholson, The Gunners of Canada. The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, vol. 1, 1534-1919, (Toronto, 1967), passim.

104. GO 191/20.

105. GO 69/16. The battery was not 'officially' authorized until after it had landed in France. This anomaly can be attributed to the administrative backlog resulting from the large number of personnel being despatched overseas for the war effort / La batterie ne fut officiellement autorisée qu'après son arrivée en France. Cette anomalie peut être attribuée à une accumulation administrative résultant d'un nombre élevé de personnel envoyé outre-mer lors de l'effort de guerre.

107. Colonel G.W.L. Nicholson, The Gunners of Canada. The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, vol. 1, 1534-1919, (Toronto, 1967), p. 252.

108. Ibid, passim.

109. GO 191/20.

110. GO 131/42; and/et GO 42/41.

111. Charles P. Stacey, Official History of the Canadian Army. Six War Years, (Ottawa, 1957), p. 539 (Appendix E)

112. GO 114/45.

113. GO 184/40; and GO 50/41.

114. Colonel G.W.L. Nicholson, The Gunners of Canada. The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, vol. 1, 1919-1967, (Toronto, 1972), passim.

115. GO 52/46.

116. GO 319/45.

117. Colonel G.W.L. Nicholson, The Gunners of Canada. The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, vol. 1, 1919-1967, (Toronto, 1972), pp. 521, 523-4, and 527.

118. GO 201/46.

119. GO 135/39.

120. GO 123/40.

121. GO 74/41.

122. GO 21/44.

123. G.W.L. Nicholson, The Gunners of Canada. The History of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, vol. 2 (Toronto, 1972), passim.

124. GO 52/46.

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